Earthquake slip that trapped families nearly clear

A massive slip that has left nine Marlborough families cut off since the Kaikōura earthquake in November might be cleared by the end of next week.

A landslip blocked the Awatere Valley Road, near Seddon, after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 14 November 2016. Photo: Marlborough District Council / Twitter

The slip has blocked the Awatere Valley Road, near Seddon.

Marlborough Civil Defence has been flying in supplies to the farms above the slip.

Marlborough District Council roads journey manager Steve Murrin said the site had been very challenging.

"[It's] very steep, a lot of major rocks," he said.

"The biggest problem was making it safe enough for the guys to work at the base of the slip, so we had to drop a lot of water from monsoon buckets on the slipface and also we've had water cannons firing onto the slip to dislodge all the loose material."

A way through the slip has been opened for construction vehicles, but work was continuing to ensure the road was safe enough to allow public access, Mr Murrin said.

He expected that to be completed by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, anyone with earthquake damage from earthquake has one month left to lodge their insurance claim.

Earthquake Commission (EQC) general manager of customer and claims Trish Keith said anyone with a house and contents claim should contact their private insurer by midnight on 14 February.

A memorandum of understanding between EQC and private insurers had simplified how home and contents insurance claims were resolved, she said.

Private insurers were now handling all content and building claims for EQC.

EQC encouraged anyone whose house or property suffered damage, and had not made a claim, to do so even if the damage appeared minor.